Quaker Valley names new superintendent

Share with others:

The Quaker Valley School Board today named a new superintendent, Heidi Ondek, who has been assistant superintendent there since 2006.

The board named Ms. Ondek at a special meeting to follow Superintendent Joseph Clapper, who announced in January he would be retiring in the fall.

Ms. Ondek's five-year contract, which starts July 1, has a first-year salary of $157,500. Mr. Clapper will help with the transition through the summer.

In a news release, school board President Sarah Heres said. “With a proven record as an outstanding educator and as a senior member of our administrative staff, Dr. Ondek will ensure the transition in leadership will maintain the ongoing mission of providing an excellent education to children in our community.”

Mr. Clapper, also in the news release, said, “Her expertise combined with her knowledge as a district parent, taxpayer and 10 years of experience as a Quaker Valley administrator positions the district for sustained growth and success.”

Ms. Ondek, in the news release, said, “I know of no other place quite like Quaker Valley, where the sense of pride and commitment to education is so strong, and the future, so bright!”

Ms. Ondek of Sewickley joined Quaker Valley in 2004 as the high school principal. Before Quaker Valley, she was an elementary principal in the Northgate School District and director of special education, curriculum and staff development in the Fort Cherry School District.

Ms. Ondek holds a bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University, a master's from Duquesne University and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. She is an internship mentor at Pitt where she has been an adjunct faculty member.

Mr. Clapper started with Quaker Valley in 1993, left the district to serve as superintendent of North Hills for 18 months, and returned to Quaker Valley in 2007 as superintendent.

Join the conversation:

To report inappropriate comments, abuse and/or repeat offenders, please send an email to
socialmedia@post-gazette.com and include a link to the article and a copy of the comment. Your report will be reviewed in a timely manner.
Thank you.